Thomas Splint Traction information sheet
Contact
Contact us for further Information about Thomas Splint Traction.
Orthopaedic ward: (02) 7825 1125
Introduction
Thomas splint traction includes a specially built bed that allows nurses to apply a pulling force (traction) to treat muscle or skeletal disorders.
This information sheet is for educational purposes only. For further information regarding this topic, please talk to your child's health care team.
What is Thomas Splint Traction and why do we use it?
Thomas splint traction can look scary and be upsetting but please be assured, staff are here to make your child as comfortable as possible.
The Thomas splint traction will help treat your child by:
- Ensuring correct alignment of a fractured femur
- Reducing muscle spasms
- Relieving pain
- Immobilising the injured leg
- Reducing thigh swelling
How do we apply Thomas Splint Traction?
Two trained nurses will apply the traction.
A sticky dressing will be placed up the leg and wrapped in bandages.
This helps to immobilise and position fractures of the femur.
A splint will be positioned.
The splint will sit around the thigh with a ring and goes past the foot.
The splint will be attached to the bed with ropes.
Weighted sand bags will be used to apply a pulling force.
How long will my child be in Thomas Splint Traction?
Duration of traction will vary for each child. Traction will continue until the bone starts to heal and early callous formation is seen on X-ray.
The medical team will talk to you and gain consent for surgery.
If an X-ray is required to see if healing has started, this can be performed in traction and in the bed.
Nursing care and personal hygiene
Neurovascular observations
These observations will be carried out hourly for the first 24 hours and then four hourly; nurses will assess movement, colour, sensation and pulse of
the affected limb.
Pressure area care
Nurses will unwrap the crepe bandage on the affected limb once a day to check skin condition. They will also apply sorbolene cream to the skin to prevent pressure areas forming.
Ring oils
The ring around the thigh will be covered with olive oil every four hours to reduce friction on the skin.
Traction care
Nurses will check the ropes and weight bags every shift to ensure adequate pulling force is being applied.
Bathing
Your child will only be able to have sponge baths. Nurses can assist to wash, remove and change clothing and sheets.
Toileting
Nappies can be worn if your child is not yet toilet trained. If toilet trained, urinal bottles or bedpans will be provided.
Diet
It is important to ensure your child is eating and drinking well as this improves healing and helps prevent constipation. Nurses will document this so please keep a record.
If parents or carers feel comfortable and have been shown by nursing staff how to perform pressure area care, ring oils, bathing or toileting they are more than welcome to perform these tasks for their child.
Use of medications
Broken femurs can be painful. To ensure that your child is kept comfortable they will be assessed by the Anaesthetic Registrar in the Emergency department (ED).
Morphine or Fentanyl will be given in the ED to help reduce pain and keep your child calm. A femoral nerve block will also be given to numb the affected leg prior to traction.
On the ward, Paracetamol and Ibuprofen will be given regularly for the first few days to help with pain and inflammation. If further pain relief is required, Oxycodone (better known as Endone) will be given.
Children can experience muscle spasms with this type of injury. Diazepam is a muscle relaxant, which can also be given to help reduce the occurrence of these spasms.
An increased amount of pain relief and decreased amount of exercise can lead to constipation; stool softeners can be given to treat constipation.